Condemnation of Britain’s proposed new press regulator grew around the world
yesterday. Newspapers and free speech campaigners warned that the all-party
plan for a watchdog with the power to impose £1 million fines would have a
chilling effect on freedom.

The Wall Street Journal, owned by News Corporation, which also owns The Times,
said in a leading article that the “real story” was that the deal “is
designed to put the media under the greater sway of politicians”.

It said that the reforms threatened more than 300 years of free speech.
“Whatever the excesses of the media, this won’t serve